Monday 24th March

Mazda RX-8 (R3) | Spotted

Someone please buy this RX-8 before Matt does...

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Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Back when I needed to buy a car back at the start of 2023, a Mazda RX-8 was so nearly the answer - I still have the number of a private seller in my phone, and exchanged calls and texts with him about the example in question. But the more I read, the more I spooked myself; worried about flooding it on the nursery run, pre-mixing, which super-unleaded was the best, what to do about rust, etc etc. So I bottled it - sorry again, Dean. 

I bought a Mini Cooper S instead, which was great - right up until the head gasket let go. About two months after replacing the clutch and flywheel. Safe to say an awful lot more was spent on that than I got back. Then came a Mazda 3 in an attempt to be sensible, only to find it too dreary for a car that wasn’t in everyday use, so it was sold. At a loss. Now I have the 325ti, which is brilliant, but has also required spending some money on it, as well as boasting its own appetite for fuel, oil, and chunky VED. So it’s hard not to wonder just what RX-8 life - and costs - might have been.

I’ve liked them for a lot longer than I should admit to. The TG review kicked it off way back when, followed by all the rave magazine reviews, Tokyo Drift, passenger rides and enjoying Mazda’s own 40th Anniversary. I love revs, I love manuals, I love rear-wheel drive - and with a young family, those incredible doors would be a real boon. Of course, they aren’t perfect; we all know that. There’s a reason why RX-8s are so much cheaper than 350Zs, Monaros, Caymans and all its contemporaries - the engine. Now’s not the time to dwell on it, because if you want to know you’ll know, but suffice it to say a Mazda RX- requires careful maintenance. Plus an engine rebuild at some point, probably. And almost as much oil as it needs fuel throughout. 

Yet I remain undeterred, helped by living near a rotary specialist and being able to expense work miles (up until now, at least). This one is absolutely the kind of RX-8 I’d love; despite the formidable tax cost as a later car, the tweaked look, chassis changes and revisions to the oil supply make it the more desirable one. Any RX-8 is going to cost a lot to run (if not to buy), so may as well go for the best. 

This one benefits from significant recent expenditure, including new tyres, clutch and coilovers. With some spacers as well, it looks absolutely spot on. The Recaro seats have held up pretty well across two owners, the new head unit looks like it’ll pair with a phone, and red is one of my favourite colours for the RX-8. 

Oh yeah, and it’s half an hour away from home. And completely not the car to buy right now. But it’s hard not to think about all the reasons why an RX-8 is brilliant - the handling, the looks, the rarity these days - rather than the potential headaches of running one. Especially when one this good is £7k. So for heaven's sake, someone please do the decent thing and buy it. For the good of my credit card bill, and a happy home life. But can I have a drive, please? 

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SPECIFICATION | MAZDA RX-8 R3

Engine: 1,308cc twin-rotor rotary
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 231@8,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 156@5,500rpm
MPG: 24.9
CO2: 299g/km
Year registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 70,000
Price new: £24,995
Yours for: £6,950

See the original advert

[wistec1]

Great looking RX8 but I'm not brave enough to take something as fickle as this on. Has someone come up with a ice swap for these yet? That would give me more confidence.

[immortallucifer]

Those compression figures for the front rotor are not good. A rebuild is on the cards for this one I think. Looks like a good one otherwise

[xstian]

I’ve so nearly bought one of these a few times. Reliability, VED and fuel costs are a concern, but it would be a 2nd car and it not like they just breakdown and leave you stranded. So I could live with that and the rotary engine is part of the appeal for me. When are we going to see one again in a car?

Ultimately it was the rust that put me off. I’m happy to get an engine rebuilt, but once the rust sets in, it seems like a constant battle which I don’t enjoy.

[86wasagoodyear]

They're soooo tempting, these.. but head over heart I think a clean GT86 is the way to go.

[Augustus Windsock]

wistec1 said:

Great looking RX8 but I'm not brave enough to take something as fickle as this on. Has someone come up with a ice swap for these yet? That would give me more confidence.

I believe the most common engineer swap is for a GM ‘LS’ series engine (LS1, 2 or 3?)

[Stu78]

Not with those compression figures for the front rotor.

[Oiyou]

I have never seen something rust like one a friend had. Shiney on the top and EVERYTHING else was crispy.

Do any of these make the claimed power? The performance felt way down on what the numbers suggested.

[Nickp82]

Oiyou said:

I have never seen something rust like one a friend had. Shiney on the top and EVERYTHING else was crispy.

Do any of these make the claimed power? The performance felt way down on what the numbers suggested.

No, R3s have about 200bhp in reality

[vikingaero]

I know the rotary is the raison d'être of the RX8, but they should have offered a V6 alongside it. That would have meant that many many more of these cars would have survived.

[evil.edna]

vikingaero said:

I know the rotary is the raison d'être of the RX8, but they should have offered a V6 alongside it. That would have meant that many many more of these cars would have survived.

I always thought the 260bhp 2.3L from the Mazda3 would have been a good match.

[dunnoreally]

I'm similar. I've liked the idea of these for a while, but never had it in me to commit. I know you can daily them if you're diligent and do your research, but it seems like a lot of extra work and risk compared with virtually anything else.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's what some mechanically inclined types like about them. You've absolutely got to really get to know the car.

[Baldchap]

I love mine. People worry a lot but there are cars out there with six digit mileages that haven't yet needed rebuilding. Used and lunricated appropriately they're reliable, you just have to remember it isn't a reciprocating engine and treat it as such.

Definitely a marmite car but I think they are awesome.

[WPA]

vikingaero said:

I know the rotary is the raison d'être of the RX8, but they should have offered a V6 alongside it. That would have meant that many many more of these cars would have survived.

+1 Always liked these but could never live with the rotary issues

[TdM-GTV]

Pointless to offer it with a 'normal' engine, it wouldn't be the same car, not even close. It would ruin the handling completely at which point, What's the point?

I test drive one of these a few years back when I was looking. Handling was great, feedback through the chassis is lovely too. It's not very quick and the smooth nature of the engine means that it doesn't exactly feel like it's trying that hard, you kinda whoosh up to the limiter without much drama. I would have one but I wanted a bit more drama.

[dinkel]

With decent maintenance there's nothing to worry about

Engine and oil issues? Then you did something wrong...

[Water Fairy]

wistec1 said:

Great looking RX8 but I'm not brave enough to take something as fickle as this on. Has someone come up with an ice swap for these yet? That would give me more confidence.

Yes, an LS3 will plop straight in. Kinda.

[WhyOne]

wistec1 said:

Great looking RX8 but I'm not brave enough to take something as fickle as this on. Has someone come up with a ice swap for these yet? That would give me more confidence.

Why oh why would you want to swap the engine for something conventional?

OK, the rotary is not without its foibles and costs, but it is surely the reason to buy an RX8?!?

[thehardman07]

Had a new 231bhp velocity red one in 2006. Nice looking thing but didn't really get on with the rotary engine, noise wasn't particularly appealing and there was nothing power wise under 4k, but did pick after that to the (from memory) 9k red line. Having come out of a 225 TT, it felt like a step back going to the RX-8.

I did manage to spin the RX-8 mind a full 360 on a wet roundabout with the traction off. Which my now wife will often remind me of the day that I almost killed us both in a massive ball of flames....

[ij]

Had my PZ for 7 years now and it's been amazing. Sold my Clio Trophy before i'd let go of the Rex. Honestly - don't stress or over-think it. They're a hoot to drive. More drama - take the cat off and pre-mix, the flames on every up-shift never get old. I find it can feel a bit floaty at the front round twisty corners but it's never scared me. Such a competent chassis, and the engine is the reason for having it, not an achilles heel. Compression on mine is down to around 7 give or take so I imagine a rebuild and street-port is on the cards next year but that'll be the first proper money i'll have spent on it. It's at 77k and has had one rebuild in it's life, but there's so much life in it still.

[WalbertonExplorer]

Those front rotor numbers are scary, anything below 7 needs a rebuild on the calendar. That front rotor will go down quickly with regular use